Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 06, 2024
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.
This meeting is physically open to the Public and citizens who wish to provide public comment during the meeting will be invited to do so by the Mayor.
Written comments can be submitted to be included as part of the administrative record; they will not be read during the meeting. All comments must be received by 3:00 pm on the day of the noticed meeting and can be submitted to the City Clerk at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370, or via email to [email protected].
Public Access Audio and Video Live Streaming
The Public will not have access to give public comments via public access audio and video live streaming; they are available for audio and visual only; and can be accessed via our website at www.sonoraca.com.
Remote viewing of the meeting via live streaming is provided to members of the public as a courtesy. If the livestreaming connection malfunctions for any reason and no Council Members are attending via teleconference, the City Council will continue the public meeting in Chambers without remote access.
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tempore Ann Segerstrom
Council Members Suzanne Cruz, Matt Hawkins, Andy Merrill City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
08/19/2024
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
CLOSED SESSION - 3:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 3:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.
ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 3:01 PM.
1. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency Designated Representatives:
Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director; Employee Organization: Sonora Management Association (SMEA), Sonora Confidential Association (SCEA); Sonora Police Officers' Association (SPOA); Sonora Fire Fighters Association (SFFA); Sonora Employees Association (SEA).
2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Cases; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Cases; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
4. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Cases; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
5. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Mark Plummer stated direction was given to staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Matt Hawkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
Left Early
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted Friday, May 3, 2024, at 10:02 AM.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
PUBLIC COMMENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
The public may address the Council on any item of public interest not otherwise on the agenda that is within the jurisdiction of the City. No action may be taken. Matters to be addressed may be referred to City Staff or placed on a subsequent meeting Agenda. Speakers are limited to a three (3) minute presentation.
Mike Lemke gave a brief history of his involvement with the City and his business focus; is looking forward to working with the City and bringing to fruition the dreams and policies of this board.
Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce shared with those in attendance the success story of the sidewalk sale and comments from the merchants; Opera & Broadway will be at the Opera House May 18th; the next mixer is May 21st at the Tuolumne County Historical Society; and a Cultural Celebration, El Campo de Sonora is June 1st at Courthouse Park.
A member of the public informed those in attendance the Tuolumne County Volunteer Fair has been rescheduled to May 23rd from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Fair Grounds.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance Public Sector Employees Recognition Week is May 5th - 11th; expressed a heartfelt thank you to all of our employees who work for the City and do such a terrific job, and keep us moving along in the best possible manor.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be voted on in one motion unless a Council member or member of the public has a question or wishes to discuss an item. In that case, the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.
6. Consider Approval of City Council Minutes from February 5, 2024; February 20, 2024; February 6, 2023, and January 9, 2023; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.
7. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $178,977.27 and $185,174.50 for Payroll, Including Employee Salaries, Employer and Employee taxes, Retirement Contributions, Miscellaneous Voluntary Employee Deductions, Holiday Pay, and Other Adjustments, Including Retro-Pay; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer.
8. Consider Direction for the Preparation of a Grant Application for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Funding to Develop a Comprehensive Citywide Safety Action Plan for the City’s Transportation Network; Carlye Buchholz, City Engineer.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz requested to pull Item #8 for more discussion.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz asked for clarification for the charge for doing research and the 20% grant match.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
City Administrator Melissa Eads explained, we are already paying for the research, the 20% match will most likely come from the general fund, if successful in getting the grant we would come back, ask for acceptance and then make the allocation.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Discussion and Community Engagement Regarding the Sonora Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Report and the Department’s Funding, Acquisition, or Use of Military Equipment; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
Police Chief Turu VanderWiel and the Councilmembers discussed after the presentation.
No public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. Voting Yea:
Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
NEW BUSINESS
10. Direct Staff to Submit Comments to the Tuolumne County Community Development Department Reflective of Direction Received from the City Council to Protect City Interests and Sphere of Influence; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.
The Councilmembers and Staff discussed the need for conversations, establish a level of transparency, and a communication channel.
A member of the public thanked the consultant.
Mike Lemke shared his opinion of the County; feels there is room for dialogue, input, and good quality conversations.
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Andy Merrill.
Councilmember Matt Hawkins left early.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Police Chief Turu VanderWiel reported back, the Round Up Parade is a go; thanked all outside agencies, City Fire and Public Works who jumped in to make this happen.
Community Development Director Tyler Summersett shared there are three (3) Planning Commissioner openings; applications are on our website and a notice has been placed in the paper; this is very exciting and please spread the word.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom participated in the Sonora Chamber sidewalk sale; watched the California Water Plan update; attended the Cinco de Mayo festivities; reviewed the quarterly newsletter before publication; thanked and applauded the Sonora Police for stationing a patrol car at the four-way stop at Hope and Lyons.
Councilmember Andy Merrill attended the Integrated Regional Water Management meeting; and had a great first semester at Columbia College teaching at the Sierra Conservation Center.
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz thanked the Sonora Fire Department for putting out the fire so quickly at the townhouses and saving the rest of the buildings; attended the spring concert directed by Daryl Hollinger, a presentation of the Pacific Justice Institute at the Peppery, and a Round Table Luncheon presented by the District Attorney's Office.
Mayor Mark Plummer attended the Parking and Traffic Committee meeting; Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO); events in Columbia for Cinco De Mayo; and earlier went to Sacramento with the Police Chief, our Administrator and Director Gorsky to lobby for funding to start planning our Police Department.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:30 PM.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at City Hall (209) 532-4541, [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR
35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).
Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Administrator’s Office at 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 during normal business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). The agenda and supporting public documents are also available on our City website www.sonoraca.com listed under the agenda/minutes link on the Government page.